Kohn ready to hit ground running at Angels camp

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Michael Kohn was progressing so well from Tommy John surgery this winter, Dr. James Andrews advanced his rehab program a month and a half. So when he arrived to Tempe Diablo Stadium on Monday, the day Angels pitchers and catchers reported for their Spring Training physicals, the right-hander already had about 25 bullpen sessions under his belt, making him more than ready for game action after missing all of 2012.

Asked if the ball already feels the same coming out of his hand, the 26-year-old said, "Better."

Tommy John surgery is usually a 12-month recovery. But in November, about seven months after April 12 surgery, Kohn began throwing. And last week, he mixed in all his pitches in a live batting-practice session.

This spring, he could have a shot at the final bullpen spot.

"You miss the game for a year, it kind of puts things in perspective," said Kohn, who posted a 4.01 ERA in 38 appearances with the Angels from 2010-11. "Whether I'm here or Triple-A, wherever they send me out, I'm just ready to play again. I'm not really worried about who's where, who's going where. That's what I did two years ago, and it crushed me. Now I'm just ready to throw again and the numbers will speak for themselves."

Scioscia weighing options for No. 2 hitter

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The way Angels manager Mike Scioscia sees it, there are three guarantees with the club's 2013 lineup: Mike Trout will lead off, Albert Pujols will bat third and Josh Hamilton will clean up.

The No. 2 spot?

"It can be a matchup thing," Scioscia said.

"You might see [Alberto] Callaspo hitting there sometimes; you might see Howie [Kendrick]; you might see [Erick] Aybar. Ideally, if you have one guy to get on base and do everything and be that incredible No. 2 hitter, your lineup is pretty stable. But that might not be the case. So, we'll do what we have to do."

Scioscia wants to bat Pujols in front of Hamilton to take advantage of his lifetime .414 on-base percentage, which is better than Hamilton's career mark of .363. Mark Trumbo, the Angels' skipper added, would probably bat fifth most of the time, with Chris Iannetta and Peter Bourjos likely to be situated at the bottom of the lineup, at least for now.

At some point, though, Trout will probably move down, too.

"He's a terrific leadoff hitter," Scioscia said, "but he's eventually probably going to be in the middle of the lineup at some point."

Kendrick isn't hindered by offseason surgery

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick underwent a minor surgical cleanup of his right elbow this offseason, manager Mike Scioscia said on Monday.

The procedure, which was conducted shortly after the end of the regular season, isn't expected to limit Kendrick during Spring Training, with Scioscia saying Kendrick is "100 percent, full-go."

"He's had some bouts with his elbow, I think, periodically, but it was never anything that really inhibited him," Scioscia said. "Howie's played a lot, he's played well and he's played through some stuff. It just, I think, got to a point where he wanted some things cleaned out."

Worth noting

• Newly signed outfielder Josh Hamilton is already in Arizona, and manager Mike Scioscia said he could take some batting practice at the Angels' Tempe Diablo Stadium complex on Tuesday.

• With Interleague Play scattered throughout the 2013 season, Angels starters are going to have to spend more time on their hitting this year. "Which is better, because I feel like it'll get you more involved in the game," said starting pitcher C.J. Wilson, who already has a blister on his hand from taking batting practice.

• Alberto Callaspo, on giving up a year of free agency by signing a two-year, $8.975 million deal: "I have one more year of arbitration, and I think they want me one more year as a free agent. I like it here. I like to play here. I know everybody here, so I'm excited to stay here."

For the first time in a long time, Callaspo stayed away from winter ball this offseason in order to rest a throwing shoulder that has been dealing with some tendinitis.